Lauren Conrad is revisiting the decision that defined her career — and changed her life.
In a rare new interview with PEOPLE, the former reality TV star opened up about why she chose to step away from fame at the height of her success, trading a life in the spotlight for something far more personal.
“I really appreciate private moments,” Conrad said, reflecting on the shift that took her from one of reality TV’s biggest stars to a largely private figure.
Conrad rose to fame in 2004 on “Laguna Beach,” quickly becoming one of the most recognizable faces of early reality television. Her popularity only grew with “The Hills,” which followed her move to Los Angeles and documented her friendships, career ambitions, and life in the public eye.
But even at the peak of that success, Conrad said she always viewed reality TV as temporary.
“I always looked at reality TV as a temporary thing to make my connections and then go on to my dream,” she told PEOPLE.
That dream, she explained, was building a fashion career and creating a life outside of constant public attention. After leaving “The Hills” in 2009, Conrad shifted her focus to her business ventures, including her long-running partnership with Kohl’s.
Choosing Privacy Over Public Life
More than a decade later, Conrad has fully embraced a quieter lifestyle — one that looks very different from the world that first made her famous.
Now living outside of Los Angeles, she described the freedom that comes with being removed from the spotlight.
“Nobody cares who I am here,” she said. “It’s such a privilege to be able to live my life for myself after putting many years on camera.”
That intentional distance extends to social media as well. Conrad rarely shares details about her personal life and has made a conscious decision to keep her children out of the public eye.
The result, she suggested, is a sense of balance that was difficult to achieve during her years on television.
Revisiting the Past — Carefully
Despite stepping away from fame, Conrad recently returned briefly to the world that launched her career, participating in a 20th anniversary special for “Laguna Beach.”
The experience brought a mix of nostalgia and perspective.
“I thought it was going to be easier, like riding a bike,” she said. “But I actually had a pretty hard time getting back into it.”
Still, time has softened her view of those early years. What once felt overwhelming now feels distant — and even a little easier to laugh about.
“I’m able to laugh at myself now, whereas when it first came out I was definitely embarrassed,” she said.
Building a Life Beyond the Spotlight
Today, Conrad’s priorities are firmly rooted in her life off-camera.
She shares two sons with her husband, William Tell, and described a day-to-day routine that centers on school schedules, sports practices, and family time — a stark contrast to her years in front of the camera.
“The fields they’re playing on are the same fields I played soccer on,” she said. “I feel really lucky to be able to raise my kids in the same space I grew up.”
That grounded lifestyle, she made clear, is exactly what she hoped to build when she stepped away from reality TV.
Looking back, Conrad said the decision to leave fame behind was never about walking away — it was about moving toward something more meaningful.
And years later, it is a choice she has never second-guessed.
